Shaquil Barrett comes up big for CSU

Dec. 21, 2013

Washington State kick returner Teondray Caldwell (34) fumbles the ball after being hit by CSU's Steven Michel with less than a minute to go in the New Mexico Bowl. CSU recoverd the fumble and kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired. / Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

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The senior CSU linebacker, who thought he had forced a fumble on the previous play only to have it overturned by the replay booth, forced and recovered another on the next play Saturday to help the CSU football team complete an improbable comeback in the final minutes to beat Washington State 48-45 in the New Mexico Bowl.

Barrett’s fumble recovery at the Washington State 33-yard line with 1:51 remaining set up a Kapri Bibbs touchdown run and 2-point conversion run by Donnell Alexander to tie the game with 33 seconds left. A fumble by WSU and recovery by CSU on the ensuing kickoff allowed the Rams to win the game with a field goal on the final play.

Barrett, named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Game, said he figured the Rams had lost their chance to get back in the game when officials ruled that Washington State quarterback Connor Halliday was down before Barrett stripped the ball out of his hands. Instead, he got another chance to make the kind of game-changing play he’s been making all season for the Rams (8-6).

“When the ball came out, it was a lot of luck from the man above. Help from the man above to put us in the right position,’’ Barrett said later.

“I really wasn’t thinking about trying to get it again, because I didn’t think I was going to get the opportunity.”

“He found a way to make a play,’’ coach Jim McElwain said.

“He did that over and over this season in some big moments for us. We need to get a sack, he gets a sack, that kind of stuff.